Teen arrested after carjacking nightclub owner

A 16-year-old boy was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of carjacking and assault with great bodily injury after he allegedly attacked a nightclub owner in the parking lot of the business in the 3300 block of North G Street.

Lt. Roger McIntyre of the Merced Police Department said three Latino males ordered a man out of his car at gunpoint and a fight ensued, with a struggle for the black-colored handgun. One shot was fired into the air during the struggle but no one was injured.

McIntyre said officers were dispatched at 1:54 a.m. to the La Hacienda II nightclub for a report of a reckless driver. When they arrived, the vehicle was gone but the teen was found behind the business. The property owner had been checking on the business for vandalism and noticed a cell phone in the parking lot before he was attacked.

The victim received moderate facial injuries and injuries to his left shoulder in the assault. He refused medical attention at the scene, but was taken to the hospital by his girlfriend.

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The teenager was determined to be a local gang member and was later booked into Merced County Juvenile Hall.

McIntyre said several bar patrons also witnessed the incident and confronted the suspects. At that point all three ran from the area. A witness positively identified the teen as being involved in the assault and he was arrested at that time. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the other two suspects and the handgun was not located.